The trio of Donald Tankoua, Calvin Oftana and James Canlas provided crucial numbers in the fourth period as the San Beda Red Lions fought their way out of a sticky situation yesterday the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Their efforts in the last 10 minutes allowed the Red Lions to finally gain some distance and stop the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 75-62, and stay unbeaten in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
As the Red Lions shifted to a zone defense, Tankoua scored on a putback in the remaining eight minutes and gave San Beda a 53-46 edge.
Oftana then scored on an assist by Tankoua, followed by a triple off Canlas’ pass in the last 6:43 as San Beda saw itself taking a 13-point spread, 59-43, one of their biggest leads since the start of the game.
"Matigas kasi ulo ko. We stuck to our defense. I had pride in my players playing one-on-one with their players,î said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez.
The Red Lions, who still played within their average of 44 percent field goals, drew 17 points each from Oftana and Tankoua, who also had a game-high 12 rebounds, while Canlas shot 16.
San Beda, which had nothing at stake in the game, marched to their 14th straight win, with the game serving as their preparation for the Final Four now that they have secured the no. 1 seeding.
In the junior action, Rhayyan Amsali knocked 19 points and 11 rebounds as the San Beda Red Cubs prevailed over the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 100-97, to secure the top seeding in the Final Four with their 14-1 win-loss record.
A buzzer-beating triple from Vince Icban found its mark as the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers beat the Malayan Red Robins, 77-74.